Engineering services for Heartland Trail to Frazee approved by county board

By Robert Williams

Editor

Rick Michaelson, president of the Pelican River Watershed District, spoke to the board about a vacancy on the Watershed’s Board of Managers left open when Phil Hansen was elected to the Board of Commissioners. The commissioners entertained two applicants before deciding att the regular meeting of the board in Detroit Lakes, Tuesday, Feb. 4.

Michaelson introduced Charles Buck, a third generation resident of Lake Melissa, to fill Hansen’s seat. Michaelson, a retired pilot and attorney, has lived on Lake Melissa his entire life. Hansen also lives on Lake Melissa and according to Michaelson, the Board of Managers desires a resident of each of the big lakes in the district.

The open position on the board is position 6, the Lake Melissa position with the term up in May of this year.

Buck was supported by the Melissa and Sallie Lake Association via letter and in person at the meeting by President Birch Burdick.

According to Burdick, Buck is the only applicant.

On the contrary, Pelican River Vice President Laurie Olson spoke on behalf of Scott Busker, relaying that Busker has a background in civil engineering.

“He has experience working with the Pelican River Watershed District,” she said.

Olson also discussed a need for someone familiar with the district’s workings and the fact that the District is going over its rules and regulations.

“He understands the rule process and we are at a critical point with rules right now as we are revising them,” said Olson. “Scott could be up to speed with where we’ve been and what we’ve accomplished.”

Busker lives on Long Lake, a lake not currently represented by the board.

Hansen spoke about the last couple years being tumultuous for the watershed. He spoke positively about Busker and also brought up the resignation of Gina Kemper, Water Resource Coordinator.

“That position will be very important to replace,” he said.

Tera Guetter, District Administrator, stated she is interviewing for Kemper’s replacement next week.

Hansen made a motion to appoint Busker to the management position and the appointment was approved.

The Pelican River Watershed District is a special unit of government organized under Minnesota Statues 103D to manage water resources in the watershed. It covers approximately 120-square miles in Becker and Otter Tail Counties and includes the upper reaches of the Pelican River which eventually drains to the Otter Tail and Red Rivers.

RAC

An at-large position for the Recreational Advisory Committee was also appointed. There were two candidates: Greg Johnson and Glenn Gifford. The latter was appointed unanimously.

Heartland Trail

The Commissioners authorized the County Engineer to execute the agreement and oversee the contracted work having received construction engineering services for the Heartland Trail connection to Frazee.

The agreement is between Becker County and Houston Engineering to perform construction engineering services on the Heartland Trail segment from the CSAH 10 bridge to the City of Frazee. The County is the lead agency on this project with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources providing reimbursement of these costs from state bond proceeds.

This segment of the Heartland State Trail will eventually span through the Wolf Lake area to the trail connection in Park Rapids, Minn., while traveling westward from Frazee to Moorhead, Minn. and into Fargo, N.D.

Feedlot ordinance

Erika Gilsdorf spoke during the open forum about a feedlot ordinance that she says does not protect drinking water and the water quality of lakes and rivers.

“We need an ordinance that will protect the water and to do what is right for the community,” she said. 

Gilsdorf was joined by Biologist Willis Mattson from Osage, who has spoken before the board many times, including the Turtle Mountain debates in 2024. Mattson stated he was taking off his scientist hat and speaking from the heart.

“I know the farming methods we use now pollute water,” he said. “This, I know, is happening in Becker County.”

Mattson stated his beliefs in the government at the local level can have effective change where he believes the state and federal government have already failed. He proposed a forum where there can be a discussion on the topic to find a common ground.

“That will do good in the community,” he said.

Admin

The board reevaluated the personnel policy for authorization of filling vacant positions. Commissioner Barry Nelson proposed that all positions come through the board of commissioners for approval. Currently, all new, budgeted positions come through the board.

The policy was changed in 2022 that when an employee retires or resigns from a budgeted position the opening could be filled by the department head without need of confirmation from the board.

The vote to modify the policy was approved anonymously.

Pelican River 

Watershed Building

The potential removal of the Pelican River Watershed Building at Dunton Locks was revisited. Up for question was if money was given from the Watershed to the County in a cooperative to purchase the land when the park was constructed.

In financial records from 1976, it showed the county did receive $16,775  from the Watershed District in a joint effort through a grant application to purchase the land now known as Dunton Locks Park, according to County Administrator Carrie Smith.

The board agreed that they owe the Watershed money and interest if the building was removed. The watershed paid for the building, along with the $16,775 contribution.

Watershed Manager Charlie and Secretary Chris Jasken spoke on the topic stating if the board was looking for more parking that removing the structurally sound building was not the answer.

Charlie Jasken noted there is 47 acres on site and that parking should be moved opposite the building on the hill behind the new construction.

“If you’re going to spend money on parking you need to look long-term,” he said.

No action was taken as the discussion was information only.